Photos by Doug Mullin

Lent

I am a member of the Christ Church Cathedral congregation. My involvement extends to the point of being formally on staff in the role of Verger, which means I open the Cathedral for Sunday services, make sure everything is in place for the services and close up after all is said and done. Another role of the Verger is in the Procession, as “bodyguard” of the clergy. In the modern world, most clergy don’t need bodyguards, but it is a carryover from the times of King Henry the VIII. I do carry a verge, which is a rod of wood, used for corporal punishment or a riding crop. I have never needed to use it for protection, but it is an interesting story to tell.

Anyways, the reason I mention this is for background on the rest of my post. On Monday night, April 15, I gave the public reflection for the service. This week is Holy Week and we have services each day, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

My reflection as written is as follows:

Luke 10:38-42
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’
Expressing faith by sitting at the Lord’s feet is something taught to me from the earliest days of my life. My parents took me to church, every time the doors were open. So it was very natural for me to attend Bible College, studying theology.
But that said, simply sitting has been hard for me. And it took me years to realize that I was like Martha. I like to feel useful, doing things. As an adult, I attended a Pentecostal church, my childhood tradition. Not being musical or having position on staff, I participated in the ways I could. Our church used projectors to put the songs on a screen. And I found that whenever I was not on the schedule to do the overheads, I was sitting in service with a distracted mind. I was trying to be Mary, without truly understanding my Martha side.
So to challenge the expression of my faith, I went on a faith journey that started by visiting the Cathedral. Visiting the Cathedral was to be one stop in a journey through the denominational faith traditions. Little did I know the Cathedral would become my home.
From the first service I attended, and meeting family, I felt immediately at home, not simply with you, the peopl, but with the liturgy as well. The ministry of holy communion reminds us of the two great commandments, spoken by Jesus. Love God and Love your neighbour. And it is in the expression of loving my neighbour I find faith.

Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Our way of life is good works, and an expression of our faith. Martha was distracted by the good works she was doing. She allowed her view of Mary to distract her from the importance of her own role. It is human nature to compare ourselves to others. But doing good works and sitting at the feet of Jesus is something we all must do. There is a balance to be made.
I’m still not perfect in this, but having taken on the role of Verger, and before that Crucifer, has given me an interesting perspective. Each of our Sunday services are different. It’s not different in a bad way, but different in that each appeals to different people in different ways. And myself, they all appeal to me in different ways.
I have the opportunity to be both Martha and Mary in our services. And for this, I thank God. I enjoy the quiet meditation of the early service. I enjoy the marvellous songs and sounds of praise of our sung Eucharists. I enjoy the changing seasons of the church calendar.
I enjoy making sure the Credence table has been placed in order for the service. I enjoy the hospitality of the position of Verger. I enjoy making sure everything is back in it place after service.
The expression of my faith in this Anglican tradition has been so enriching to my life. It helps ground me in life, while compelling me to express my faith through good works, in community volunteerism, in political action, in service to this congregation.
I am throughly blessed in the opportunity to express my faith, through words and action. I hope you can say the same.

A small preface: I have written poetry on rare occasion. I was about to delete this from Facebook when it dawned on me to share it with you. Good or bad, it tells the story of the Annunciation.

As Gabriel worshiped around the throne of heaven,
He felt a touch on the shoulder,
He turned and saw the Lord.

“What do you want me to do, My Lord?”
The Lord responded, “It is time for the promise”

“Yes, Lord. I am ready.”

Gabriel set out for Nazareth, a small town in Galilee
He inquired of the people
“Where is the girl, Mary, son of Heli?”

The people wondered who is this strange man
seeking the one betrothed to Joseph the Carpenter.
It spread through the town, causing a stir.

Gabriel knocked on the door of the home of Heli.
“Where is Mary, son of Heli?” he inquired
Heli perplexed “What is your intention, young man?”
“I come on the bidding of the Lord.”
Heli said, “Enter my son.”

Mary had heard about the man looking for her.
It caused her to wonder and consider, and his greeting caused more wonder.

“Greetings, favoured one. The Lord is with you” Gabriel intoned.
The wonder mixed with surprise must have been obvious for he continued,
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

“You have been chosen to bear a son, who you will call Jesus.
He will be great, being called Son of the Most High.
The Lord will give to you son the throne of David
And his kingdom shall never end.”

Doubt arose in Mary, being voiced
“I am a virgin, betrothed to be married. It’s not possible.
How can this be? Really, how can this be?”

The angel allieved the doubt, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,
And will overshadow you, making the child to come holy.
Even now, Elizabeth, your cousin, is pregnant with child,
And she was considered barren. She is six months along.”

“Nothing will be impossible with God!

Mary’s doubt vanished and she declared in faith,
“Here I am, the servant of the Lord.
Let it be according to your word.”

Gabriel went out rejoicing, and entered heaven praising God,
with a report to give of the journey.
“Mary responded as you desired. She is ready for you. The promise is given.”

I’ve been listening to a new album recently downloaded, Homemade Worship by Handmade People. The artist is Rend Collective Experiment, from Ireland. Thanks goes to my friend, Keri from Pop Parables for the introduction to this marvelous musical experience (and Keri, they have included a recording of You Are My Vision).

The video is the song Second Chance.

Here are the lyrics to the song, The Cost, one of my favourite songs from the album:

I’m saying yes to You
And no to my desires
I’ll leave myself behind
And follow You

I’ll walk the narrow road
’cause it leads me to You
I’ll fall but grace
Will pick me up again

I’ve counted up the cost
Oh I’ve counted up the cost
Yes I’ve counted up the cost
And You are worth it

I do not need safety
As much as I need You
You’re dangerous
But Lord You’re beautiful

I’ll chase You through the pain
I’ll carry my cross
’cause real love
Is not afraid to bleed

In case you didn’t know before today, I thought I would inform you that snow and sneakers don’t mix. Today was a snow day for southern New Brunswick, at least in Fredericton. I haven’t searched the media to find out the breadth of the storm. Today I went to work wearing sneakers. I left my tuque and the one glove I could find home. I didn’t anticipate the flurries amounting to much.

Stupid me!! I certainly would have failed as a weather forecaster today. But I also wasn’t watching the forecast from those who study and broadcast such things. I was most decidedly unprepared for the inclement weather. And another mind-blowing revelation for you: Snow is cold!!!

I’m poking fun tonight, just because I know friends who are readers. Over the last week, I had three people tell me that they were reading. It is an honour to know that friends are reading what I’m putting out for the world to read. Thank you, my friends, for encouraging me.

Getting up to write at 5 am was an grand failure, though I have been good at waking up at 5 am, praying for a few minutes before going back to sleep, with a reset alarm. And this morning I proved that I could succeed at making 5 am wakeup calls a habit. This morning I woke up at 6:55 am, the time I normally get up on Mondays. This Monday was an exception as I had a later shift, covering someone’s vacation day, not working my regularly scheduled hours.

What method of waking up do you use? Alarm, no alarm? Doze and snooze or jump up right away?